Kipke Appointed to Health Care Reform Policy Council

Health care reform is a touchy subject around the country, including Pasadena. As part of the state's work to adhere to new federal regulations regarding health care, Gov. Martin O'Malley has appointed Del. Nic Kipke (R-Pasadena) to the Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council. This organization will work to make policy and implementation recommendations to ensure Maryland meets federal standards regarding health care reform.

"If you're in Maryland, we are required by law to implement certain aspects of the (federal government's) plan," said Kipke. "The organization I've been appointed to is Gov. O'Malley's work group to discuss the policy changes that need to be made in Maryland to bring us into compliance with federal law."

Kipke, however, doesn't agree with many aspects of the plan passed by the federal government.

"The plan that was passed is a failed policy because it's not well thought out," said Kipke. "It was rushed through for political purposes. Now the states are left holding the bag and have to find out how to make it work within the framework of the regulatory environment within each state."

He added that there were some aspects of the policy that he supported, such as the creation of a centralized online clearinghouse of insurance products and the elimination of lifetime caps for how long a health insurance product is required to pay out.

"The real problem we have is the cost involved in including a larger number of individuals who will now be eligible for taxpayer-funded health insurance products," said Kipke. "For example, a family that makes $80,000 will now be eligible for a taxpayer-funded health insurance product through the state, and I think this is something that most Americans disagree with. Frankly, the states aren't sure how they'll be able to pay for this in the long term."

Kipke said that health care reform would be better achieved by identifying cost drivers and developing policies to slow or eliminate them. He specificially referred to the high volume of medical malpractice claims and settlements in Maryland. He also believes that there are a large number of illegal immigrants who are receiving taxpayer-funded health care.

Some Pasadena residents tended to agree with Kipke's views.

"I don't think we should be making policy changes that should be costing taxpayers more, especially in this economy," said Rick Halford of Pasadena. "We have so many other problems in this country. Maybe health care can wait until we've got jobs."

"There's really no room in the budget for new and expensive policies," said Charlene Jones of Pasadena. "I'm already paying a huge amount on premiums whenever I need any sort of care. If they could find a way to lower that, it would be great but my family really doesn't need to be paying higher taxes."